Disciplinary Hearings – Round 3

Investec Champions Cup

Red card – Toma’akino Taufa (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)

The Union Bordeaux-Bègles prop Toma’akino Taufa (No 18) was issued with a red card during his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 3 match against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday 11 January 2025.

Taufa was sent off by the referee, Ben Whitehouse (Wales), in the 68th minute of the match for a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points:

Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches

Matthew O’Grady (England, Chair), Mark Curran (Ireland) and Tony Wheat (Ireland) have been appointed to sit as an independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which will take place via video conference on Thursday 16 January 2025.

Red card – Giorgi Akhaladze (ASM Clermont Auvergne)

The ASM Clermont Auvergne prop Giorgi Akhaladze (No 1) was issued with a red card during his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 3 match against Bath Rugby at The Recreation Ground on Sunday 12 January 2025.

Akhaladze was sent off by the referee, Mike Adamson (Scotland), in the 24th minute of the match for a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points:

Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches

Pamela Woodman (Scotland, Chair), Chris Morgan (Wales) and Marcello D’Orey (Portugal) have been appointed to sit as an independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which will take place via video conference on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

EPCR Challenge Cup

Citing complaint – Giorgi Sinauridze (Black Lion)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against Black Lion flanker Giorgi Sinauridze (No 20) following the EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 match between Black Lion and Aviron Bayonnais at the Mikheil Meshki Stadium on Saturday 11 January 2025.

Sinauridze is alleged to have committed a dangerous clear-out at a ruck on Aviron Bayonnais No 20, Noa Traversier, in the 29th minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.20(d).

The complaint was made by the Match Citing Commissioner Chris Sharp (England).

Law 9.20 (d) Dangerous play in a ruck or maul – A player may remove the jackaller from the tackle area by pushing/driving them backwards (including by grabbing the knee/leg), but must not roll, pull or twist an opponent.

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, this carries the following sanction entry points:

Low-end: 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range: 6 weeks/matches; Top-end: 10-52 weeks/matches

Philip Evans KC (England, Chair), Ken Owens (Wales) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) have been appointed to sit as an Independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which will take place by video conference on Tuesday 14 January 2025.